At last the journey was over and she found herself at Paddington. She had come up to town without luggage, and got into a hansom immediately. Until this moment she had not remembered that she did not really know where to find Dick. When the cabman asked her for directions she paused for a moment to consider.
“Drive to 12 Ashley Mansions, near Harley Street,” she said to him.
The man whipped up his horse and in a short time the cab drew up at the familiar door. Barbara got out, ran up the steps, and rang the bell. The servant, who knew her well, opened the door. He started quite perceptibly when he saw her.
“I will let her know that you have called, Lady Pelham.”
The man’s face was certainly queer. He stood in such a position that Barbara had almost to push past him into the hall.
“Don’t keep me,” she said. “I will go and see Mrs. Pelham without being announced. Is she in the drawing-room?”
“I believe so, my lady. But if you will excuse me, my lady——”
Barbara did not hear, she was already half-way up the stairs. The next moment she had entered the well-known drawing-room. Mrs. Pelham was seated with her back to her, busily writing. The widow’s little figure looked alert, even the back of her head seemed full of a new resolution.
Barbara went silently up to her and touched her on the arm. Mrs. Pelham turned with a start. When she saw Barbara she became very white.
“Yes, I am here, Mrs. Pelham. Can you tell me where Dick is?”
“But don’t you know anything, Barbara?” cried the widow.
“Not yet, but I will know. Put me out of suspense. Tell me at once.”
“Barbara, I cannot. I wish you had not come here. This is dreadful.”
“Tell me at once, Mrs. Pelham. Do you think I am silly? Don’t you know that I am a woman—that I have got both strength and courage? I know that something dreadful has happened. What is it?”
“I suppose I must tell you, but I wish some one else would. Your husband——” Mrs. Pelham paused to wet her lips. They were already so dry she could scarcely bring out the words.
“Arrested! My husband arrested! What for? Oh, for God’s sake tell me quickly!”
“Yes, Barbara, I will—that is, I will try. I know it is an awful shock for you, poor girl! But, Barbara, your husband, Dick, has been arrested on suspicion of having——”